Automated collection and scale system

ABSTRACT

The disclosure describes a novel approach of utilizing a collection bin for a side loading waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includes a weighing system with a processor for measuring the weight of material collected from each waste container and associating this weight with appropriate data, such as the owner of the waste container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patentapplication No. 12/708,705, filed Feb. 19, 2010, now issued U.S. Pat.No. 8,674,243, which claims the benefit and priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/153,845, filed Feb. 19, 2009, and entitled,“Automated Collection and Scale System”, which applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference. Additionally, this application isrelated to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/688,660 filed Jan. 15,2010, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,330,059, and entitled, “AutomatedCollection and Scale System”.

INTRODUCTION

Several types of waste collection vehicles exist. Waste collectionvehicles can be front loaders, rear loaders, side loaders, automatedside loaders, and grapple trucks. Waste collection vehicles aretypically utilized to pick up quantities of waste for hauling to adetermined area, such as a landfill, transfer station, or materialrecovery facility. Waste collection vehicles can be further utilized ormodified to collect recyclables for transport to a recycling facility.

The allocation of waste removal equipment has been improved by the useof large trucks having compaction capabilities extending their effectiverange and capacity between unloadings. Further, the vehicles may includespecialized hoists to lift trash containers into the truck.

As the amount of solid waste, such as municipal solid waste, generatedin the United States increases and landfill capacity diminishes,efficient recycling becomes of critical importance. In many communities,recyclable waste amounts to 60-70% of the total waste collected.

SUMMARY

The disclosure describes a novel approach of utilizing a collection binfor a side loading waste collection vehicle. The collection bin includesa weighing system with a processor for measuring the weight of materialcollected from each waste container and associating this weight withappropriate data, such as the owner of the waste container.

In part, this disclosure describes a method for weighing materials in acollection bin for a side loading waste collection vehicle. The methodincludes performing the following steps:

a) identifies a waste container;

b) moving materials stored in the identified waste container to acollection bin;

c) determining that the materials have been received by the collectionbin;

d) weighing the materials in the collection bin to produce a weightmeasurement with an accuracy of within about 5 pounds or less; and

e) utilizing a processor to associate the weight measurement with theidentified waste container.

In another aspect, this disclosure describes a collection bin thatincludes: at least one suspension mechanism for attachment to a sideloading waste collection vehicle; a processor, and a weighing instrumentcontrolled by the processor, the weighing instrument is adapted to weighmaterial disposed in the collection bin to produce weight measurements.The processor associates the weight measurements with appropriate data.

Yet another aspect of this disclosure describes a collection and scalesystem that includes: a side loading waste collection vehicle; acollection bin; and a weighing system. The collection bin includes asuspension mechanism for attachment to the side loading waste collectionvehicle. The weighing system is adapted to weigh material disposed inthe collection bin to produce weight measurements. The weighing systemincludes: at least one weighing instrument and a processor. Theprocessor associates the weight measurements with appropriate data.

These and various other features as well as advantages will be apparentfrom a reading of the following detailed description and a review of theassociated drawings. Additional features are set forth in thedescription that follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the described embodiments.The benefits and features will be realized and attained by the structureparticularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof aswell as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a collection and scale systemaccording to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a collection andscale system according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a radio frequency identification system utilizedwith the collection and scale system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 represents an embodiment of a computing device.

FIG. 5 represents an embodiment of network overviews for a weighingsystem.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of a collectionbin.

FIG. 7 represents an embodiment of a weighing system.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a method for weighing materials in acollection bin for a side loading waste collection vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the techniques introduced above and discussed in detail belowmay be implemented in a variety of collection vehicles, the presentdisclosure will discuss the implementation of these techniques in thecontext of a collection vehicle for use in providing removal andtransport of recyclables. The reader will understand that the technologydescribed in the context of a scaling system for a collection vehiclecould be adapted for use with other systems or vehicles.

Collection vehicles are used to provide removal and transport of itemssuch as municipal solid waste, recyclables, dirt, rock, coal, minerals,green waste (e.g. yard waste), and/or any other material commonlycollected and transported. While operating a collection vehicle, it isdesirable to monitor the amount of materials collected. Accordingly, acollection vehicle with a scale system is desirable.

A collection and scale system (CS system) includes a suspendedcollection bin, a weighing system, and a side loading waste collectionvehicle. In one embodiment, the CS system further utilizes an automatedrobotic arm. The CS system may provide accurate weight measurements ofwithin 5 pounds (2.268 kilograms) or less of collected materials perwaste container, per filled suspended collection bin, per customer,and/or per route. In an alternative embodiment, the CS system mayprovide accurate weight measurements of within 0.5 pounds (0.2268kilograms) or less of collected materials per waste container, perfilled suspended collection bin, per customer, and/or per route. The CSsystem may provide accurate weight measurements of within 0.5 pounds(0.227 kilograms) or less of collected materials per waste container,per filled collection bin, per customer, and/or per route. The CS systemmay provide accurate weight measurements of within 0.1 pounds (0.0454kilograms) or less of collected materials per waste container, perfilled collection bin, per customer, and/or per route. Additionally, theCS system may provide an accurate weight of the materials collected intotal by the weight collection vehicle. Further, the design of the CSsystem allows for identification and removal of undesirable/impropermaterials from the collection bin and for weight recalculation after theremoval of undesirable materials from the collection bin.

A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing variousaspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate toindividual features as well as combinations of features. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive ofthe scope of the equipment and methods described herein.

Reference will now be made in detail to various features of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate embodiments of a collection and scale system(CS system) 100. The CS system 100 utilizes a side loading wastecollection vehicle 101, a suspended collection bin 102, and a weighingsystem. In one embodiment, the CS system 100 further utilizes anautomated robotic arm 106. The CS system 100 may provide accurate weightmeasurements of within 5 pounds (2.268 kilograms) or less of thematerials contained within each waste bin, discarded per customer,filled in the suspended collection bin 102, and collected over an entireroute, collected in total per truck, or collected in total by selectedwaste collection vehicles in any desired amount of time. In anotherembodiment, the CS system 100 may provide accurate weight measurementsof within 0.5 pounds (0.2268 kilograms) or less of the materialscontained within each waste bin, discarded per customer, filled in thesuspended collection bin 102, and collected over an entire route,collected in total per truck, or collected in total by selected wastecollection vehicles in any desired amount of time. The CS system 100 mayprovide accurate weight measurements of within 0.1 pounds (0.0454kilograms) or less of the materials contained within each wastecontainer, discarded per customer, filled in the collection bin 102, andcollected over an entire route, collected in total per truck, orcollected in total by selected waste collection vehicles in any desiredamount of time. The materials collected may be waste, such as municipalsolid waste, recyclables, dirt, rock, coal, minerals, green waste (e.g.yard waste), or any other material commonly collected and transported.As utilized herein, the term “recyclables” is not limiting and isunderstood to be interchangeable with any material that is commonlycollected and transported.

In an alternative embodiment, the CS system 100 utilizes a front loadingwaste collection vehicle, a collection bin, and a weighing system. Thefront loading waste collection vehicle may utilize a fork and hold thecollection bin by inserting the fork into pockets located on thecollection bin. The fork may lift the collection bin and dump materialscollected in the collection bin into the hopper of the front loadingwaste collection vehicle. Further, this embodiment may further utilizean automated robotic arm 106 for lifting of non-commercial wastecontainers.

As the amount of solid waste generated in the United States increasesand landfill capacity diminishes, efficient recycling becomes ofcritical importance. As recycling increases in importance, so does thesystem for collecting and transporting recyclables. In some areas, inorder to encourage individuals to recycle, incentive programs havedeveloped that provide each consumer with rewards based on the amount ofrecycling he or she does. The CS system 100 is an ideal tool forcollecting recyclables that allows for accurate determinations ofrecycling amounts per customer, household, or area. Further, currentcollection and transport vehicles charge by volume regardless of theamount of materials collected. The collection and scale system (CSsystem) 100 provides the operator with the option to charge by weight ofthe material collected.

As illustrated, the side loading waste collection vehicle (WCV) 101utilizes a vehicle, a hopper, and a loading area 104. In one embodiment,the hopper may include a packing blade. The loading area 104 is locatedon the side of the hopper. The loading area 104 is the area where thecollected materials are dumped into the hopper.

Side loading WCVs 101 are typically designed for the automated liftingof non-commercial, residential, or smaller sized waste containers 110,such as toters. Smaller sized waste containers 110 often hold from about25 gallons (about 94.64 liters) to about 400 gallons (about 1514 liters)of material.

The suspended collection bin 102 (or intermediate bin) of the CS system100 is suspended in, above, and/or beside the loading area 104. Thelocation of the suspended collection bin 102 requires that all collectedmaterials are placed in the suspended collection bin 102 prior toentering the packing area of the hopper. In one embodiment, thesuspended collection bin 102 has a trap door that opens allowing thecollected materials to enter the hopper. In another embodiment, thecollection bin 102 dumps the collected materials into the hopper. In oneembodiment, collection bin has at least two doors that open to allow thecollected material to enter the hopper. In one embodiment, the door(s)is made from at least one of metal, plastic, and fabric. This list isnot limiting. Any suitable material for the door(s) of the collectionbin 102 for allowing the release of material from the collection bin 102into the hopper may be utilized.

In another embodiment, the collection bin 102 may pivot or turn upsidedown in order to unload the material stored in the collection bin 102into the packing area of the hopper. In one embodiment, the collectionbin rotates on at least one hinge in order to dump the material storedin the collection bin 102 into the packing area of the hopper. Thesuspended collection bin 102 may be manually operated or automated. Thesuspended collection bin 102 is referred to as automated when thelifting and/or dumping of the collected materials from the suspendedcollection bin 102 into the hopper is performed automatically upon theinitiation of the actions by an operator command.

In one embodiment, the suspended collection bin 102 is powered byutilizing systems already implemented on the side loading WCV 101, suchas a power system, a hydraulic system, or a pneumatic system. Thecollection bin 102 may be suspended by any suitable equipment orsuspension mechanism for maintaining the collection bin 102 above, in,and/or beside the loading area 104 for receiving, weighing, andidentifying of collected materials. In one embodiment, the suspendedcollection bin 102 may include pockets on the bottom of the suspendedcollection bin 102 to facilitate the suspension. The suspendedcollection bin 102 allows any side loading WCV 101 to be adapted toweigh collected materials and associate the weight of collectedmaterials with specific information.

In one embodiment, the suspended collection bin 102 is permanentlyattached to the loading area 104 of the side loading WCV 101. Thesuspended collection bin 102 may be attached to loading area 104 by anysuitable method, such as welding, bolting, chaining, bracketing, orsoldering. In another embodiment, the suspended collection bin 102 isremovable from the loading area 104 of the side loading WCV 101.

The suspended collection bin 102 may be made of any suitable materialfor holding waste, recyclables or collectable materials, such asplastic, metal, woven material, fabric and/or fiberglass. In anotherembodiment, the suspended collection bin 102 is designed to hold about 1cubic yard (about 0.7646 cubic meters) to about 10 cubic yards (about7.646 cubic meters) of material. In a further embodiment, the suspendedcollection bin 102 is designed to hold about 3 cubic yards (about 2.294cubic meters) to about 5 cubic yards (about 3.823 cubic meters) ofmaterial.

In one embodiment, the collection bin 102 is a solitary structure. In analternative embodiment, the collection bin 102 is structured in multipleparts. In one embodiment, the collection bin 102 has substantially twoparts. In another embodiment, these two parts are a frame 604 and a tub602 attached to the frame 604, as illustrated in FIG. 6. As used hereinthe tub 602 is any suitable container or holder for holding and/orcollecting materials. The frame 604 as used herein is any suitabledevice for allowing the tub 602 to be held by and/or attached to theside loading waste collection vehicle. In one aspect of this embodiment,the two structures may be inseparable once combined. In another aspectof this embodiment, the two structures may be separable from each othereven after combination.

In one embodiment, the frame 604 includes at least one pocket. Inanother embodiment, two pockets are on the frame of the collection bin102. In yet another embodiment, a robotic arm 106 is attached to theframe 604 of the collection bin 102. The frame 604 allows for one ormultiple load cells 608 to be utilized for measuring the weight of thetub 602 and materials located in the tub 602, such as two load cells608, three load cells 608, four load cells 608, six load cells 608, andeight load cells 608.

In one embodiment, four load cells 608 are positioned near the cornersof the tub 602 on the frame 604. The positioning of the load cells 608underneath the tub 602 near each corner provide for a level and/orstable weighing surface, as illustrated in FIG. 6. This level and/orstable weighing surface provides for a desirable accuracy measurement,such as accuracy of within about 5 pounds or less, within about 1 poundor less, within about 0.5 pounds or less, and within about 0.1 pounds orless.

Further, the utilization of an intermediate or collection bin 102 allowsfor better accuracy compared to waste collection vehicles with armmounted weighing units. Waste collection vehicles with hopper weighingunits have to account for extremely large weights totaling up to as muchas 40,000 pounds. These large weights drastically decrease thesensitivity and accuracy of the weighing instruments of the hopper. Thecollection bin 102 does not need to be capable of weighing such largeweights allowing for more desirable accuracy of within about 5 pounds orless, within about 1 pound or less, within about 0.5 pounds or less, andwithin about 0.1 pounds or less.

In one embodiment, the waste containers 110 are manually lifted andemptied into the suspended collection bin 102. In an additionalembodiment, the CS system 100 utilizes a semi-automated system, such asa lifter or a tipper. As used herein the term “semi-automated”, refersto a system that is activated by the operator, but requires furthermanual assistance to function properly, such as attachment of the wastecontainer and/or positioning of the waste. In another embodiment, the CSsystem 100 utilizes an automated robotic arm 106 attached to the sideloading WCV 101, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The robotic arm 106 isreferred to as automated because the grabbing, lifting, dumping, andsetting down of the waste container 110 by the robotic arm 106 may beperformed automatically upon the initiation of the actions by anoperator command.

The automated robotic arm 106 may be any suitable robotic arm 106 forthe automated grabbing, lifting, and emptying of waste containers 110.The automated robotic arm 106 may be made of any suitable materials forthe automated grabbing, lifting, and emptying of waste containers 110,such as plastic, metal, and/or rubber. In one embodiment, the roboticarm 106 may be similar to or the same as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 7,210,890 filed on Oct. 16, 2003. In one embodiment, the automatedrobotic arm 106 is powered by utilizing systems already implemented onthe side loading WCV 101, such as power, a hydraulic system, or apneumatic system. In another embodiment, the automated robotic arm 106is suitable for evenly spreading material dumped from the wastecontainers 110 in the suspended collection bin 102. In a furtherembodiment, the automated robotic arm 106 of the side loading WCV 101 iscapable of grabbing a waste container 110, picking up and dumping thewaste container 110 into the suspended collection bin 102, placing thewaste container 110 back on the ground, and releasing the wastecontainer 110 in a time frame of less than 6 seconds. In an additionalembodiment, the automated robotic arm 106 grabs, lifts and disposes ofany type/shape of waste container 110 or any bulky item, such asfurniture, appliances, barrels, or crates. In one embodiment, theautomated robotic arm 106 picks up waste containers 110 ranging in sizefrom about 30 gallons (about 113.6 liters) to about 400 gallons (about1514 liters), as illustrated in FIG. 2.

If unwanted materials are disposed in the suspended collection bin 102,the operators can exit the vehicle and remove the unwanted items fromthe suspended collection bin 102. In one embodiment, a camera may recordand send to a display all of the items collected in the suspendedcollection bin 102 as they are collected or in real time. The operatorof the side loading waste collection vehicle 101 may view the itemscollected in the suspended collection bin 102 by visually inspecting thesuspended collection bin 102 or by watching a display from a video orcamera recording the collected materials. The viewing of the materialsmay be performed during standard operation and allows materials to beremoved prior to entering the hopper of the side loading WCV 101. In anembodiment, a ladder may be attached to the side loading vehicle toallow an operator to climb up to the suspended collection bin 102 forthe removal of undesirable materials. In one embodiment, the hopper ofthe side loading WCV 101 utilizes a packing blade to compact thecollected materials. Because of the packer blade, it is undesirable tomanually remove items from the collected materials in the hopper. Thesuspended collection bin 102, allows undesirable items to be viewedand/or removed before being placed in the hopper.

The CS system 100 further comprises a weighing system. In oneembodiment, the weighing system utilizes a weighing instrument todetermine weight measurements. In one embodiment, the weighinginstrument includes at least one load cell. In another embodiment, theload is a transducer that utilizes a strain gauge.

In one embodiment, the weighing system utilizes power from the sideloading waste collection vehicle 101. In another embodiment, theweighing system utilizes power from its own internal power source, suchas a battery or solar panel. In a further embodiment, the weighingsystem is self-contained. As used herein the term “self-contained”refers to a weighing system that has no connections or at most oneconnection to the side loading waste collection vehicle 101, such as apower supply connection. Self-contained weighing systems provide forinterchangeability between WCVs.

In another embodiment, the weighing system includes a monitor. In oneembodiment, the monitor may be located on the WCV. In an alternativeembodiment, the monitor may be separate from the WCV. The monitor iscapable of displaying information to the operator, such as weightmeasurements for the associated and/or identified waste containers 110.

In one embodiment the weighing system monitors collection activities inreal time. As used herein, “real time” refers to the recording and/orstoring of weight measurements as they are taken. In one embodiment, theweight measurements and associated data are sent via a wireless card ornetwork to the computing device in real time.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the weighing system. In oneembodiment, the weighing system includes two main elements housed in twoenclosures: a control system that also handles communications andlocation functions and a weighing instrument. In this embodiment, thecore of the system is the General Purpose Modem board (GPM2) asillustrated in FIG. 7. The GPM2 includes a modem with Global PositioningSystem (GPS) and Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) capability and anultra high frequency reader. In an alternative embodiment, a lowfrequency RFID system is utilized. The GPM2 receives input from at leastone sensor and takes power and ignition input. In one embodiment, thesensor is adapted to sense movement. In another embodiment, the sensoris adapted to determine a change in weight. Any suitable sensor fordetermining the receipt of materials into the collection bin may beutilized by the weighing system. In another embodiment, the utilizedsensors are standardized and fit easily to side loading waste collectionvehicles, robotic arms, and/or collection bins.

In this embodiment, the second main element is the weighing instrumenthoused in a separate enclosure, such as in the collection bin 102. Inone embodiment, the weighing instrument includes four load cellspositioned under the collection bin 102 for taking weighing measurementsthat are transmitted by the GPM2 board. Referring to FIG. 6, whichillustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the collection bin,load cells 608 are shown positioned underneath a tub 602 on the frame604 of the collection bin 102.

In an embodiment, the ultra high frequency reader of the GPM2 isconnected to an ultra high frequency antenna and at least one sensor fordetermining the start or end of the dumping of a waste container 110into the collection bin 102. In an alternative embodiment, a lowfrequency reader of the GPM2 is connected to a low frequency antenna andat least one sensor for determining the start or end of the dumping of awaste container 110 into the collection bin 102

In another embodiment, the GPM2 board includes a Global System forMobile communications (GSM) including a GSM antenna for receiving GSMfrequency bands as further illustrated by FIG. 7. In yet anotherembodiment, the GPM2 board includes a subscriber identity module (SIM)card. The SIM card allows the GPM2 board to utilize GPRS and shortmessage service (SMS or text). In one embodiment, voice mail should bedisabled on the SIM card. Further, in one embodiment, the GPM2 boardincludes a power connection for receiving power from another component,such as the side loading WCV.

In an embodiment, the load cells take weight measurements at the startand the end of a dump cycle based on sensor information. In anembodiment, the determination of the correct time to take weightmeasurements is necessary for receiving accurate weight information. Inanother embodiment, the weighing system records and stores weightmeasurements every second. Further, during weighing, the amount ofmovement may be minimized for more accurate readings, such as throughaccurate sensor readings. In another embodiment, weight measurementstaken at the start and end of a full dump cycle or the cycle ofgrabbing, emptying, and releasing of the waste container 110 areutilized to determine the amount of material collected from each wastecontainer 110. In another embodiment, weights are calculated bymeasuring the weight of the collection bin prior to the start of thedump cycle and after the end of a full dump cycle to determine theamount of material collected from each waste container 110. In oneembodiment, the measurements utilized were taken 1 second prior to thestart of the dump cycle and 1 second after the end of the dump cycle. Inanother embodiment, the measurements utilized were taken 2 seconds priorto the start of the dump cycle and 2 seconds after the end of the dumpcycle. In a further embodiment, the amount of time prior to the dumpcycle that a measurement is taken is different from the amount of timethat passes before measurement after a dump cycle is completed. Theweight measurements can be taken at any period prior to or after thedump cycle.

In one embodiment, at least one sensor is placed on the robotic arm todetermine the start and end of the dump cycle. In another embodiment,two sensors are placed on the robotic arm 106 to determine the start andend of the dump cycle. In one embodiment, the first sensor is attachedto the sliding part of the robotic arm 106. In a further embodiment, thesecond sensor is attached to the rotating part of the robotic arm 106.In this embodiment, the first sensor determines the start and the end ofa waste container 110 dump cycle. Further, in this embodiment, thesecond sensor determines the dumping of the waste container 110. In oneembodiment, the sensors have been shown in various experiments toaccurately determine when to record weight measurements. These sensorscan determine when to take weight measurements during regular andirregular dump cycles. For instance, the sensors have accuratelydetermined when to record weight measurements if the robotic arm 106slides out and back in without dumping, performs a normal dump cycle,performs an incomplete dump, performs a dump motion on an alreadyemptied waste container 110, and performs a dump motion without holdinga waste container 110.

In one embodiment, a third sensor is utilized. In an embodiment, thethird sensor is located on the dumping mechanism utilized by the sideloading waist collection vehicle to empty the collection bin 102. Inthis embodiment, the third sensor determines when the collection bin 102is dumped into the hopper.

In another embodiment, the weighing system is calibrated before use. Forexample, the weighing system may undergo a zero and/or span calibration.A zero calibration may include ensuring that the weighing system is atzero when the collection bin 102 is empty and recalibrating the weighingsystem if not at zero when empty. A span calibration may include placinga known weight, such as 500 pounds, in the collection bin 102 to makesure the weighing system has the correct span. If the weighing systemdoes not measure the correct weight, the weighing system can becalibrated for better accuracy. In a further embodiment, the calibrationresults are stored in permanent memory for use each time the weighingsystem is powered up.

The weighing system utilizes at least one computing device for weightdetermination and association. In one embodiment, the logical operationsof the various embodiments are implemented (1) as a sequence of computerimplemented steps running on a computing system and/or (2) asinterconnected machine modules within the computing system. Theimplementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performancerequirements of the computing system implementing the disclosure.Accordingly, the logical operations making up the embodiments describedherein are referred to alternatively as operations, steps or modules.

In one embodiment, each side loading WCV 101 utilizes a computing device400 as illustrated in FIG. 4. In another embodiment, each side loadingWCV 101 sends collected data to a computing device 400. In analternative embodiment, a select number of side loading WCVs 101 utilizea computing device 400.

FIG. 4 represents an embodiment of a computing device for use with aweighing system. In a basic configuration, computing device 400 mayinclude any type of stationary computing device including avehicle-mounted or handheld mobile computing device. Computing device400 may include at least one processing unit 402 and system memory 404.Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device,system memory 404 may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such asROM, flash memory, and the like) or some combination of the two. Systemmemory 404 may include operating system 405, one or more executableprograms or applications 406, and may include program data 407. In oneembodiment, applications 406 further include application 420 for weightdetermination and association. This basic configuration is illustratedin FIG. 4 by those components within dashed line 408.

Computing device 400 may also have additional features or functionality.For example, computing device 400 may also include additional datastorage devices (removable and/or non-removable) such as, for example,magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Such additional storage isillustrated in FIG. 4 by removable storage 409 and non-removable storage410. Non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums may includevolatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implementedin any method or technology for storage of information, such asnon-transitory computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data. System memory 404, removable storage 409 andnon-removable storage 410 are all examples of non-transitorycomputer-readable storage mediums. Non-transitory computer readablestorage mediums includes but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store the desired information and which can beaccessed by computing device 400. Any such non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium may be part of device 400. Computingdevice 400 may also have input device(s) 412 such as a keyboard, mouse,pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Output device(s) 414such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. may also be included.

Computing device 400 also contains communication connection(s) 416 thatallow the device to communicate with other computing devices 418, suchas over a network or a wireless network. Communication connection(s) 416is an example of communication media. Communication media may embodynon-transitory computer readable instructions, data structures, programmodules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier waveor other transport mechanism and includes any information deliverymedia. The term “modulated data signal” may include a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media may include wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media.

FIG. 5 represents exemplary network overviews for the weighing system.Network overview 500 may include internet 502, one or more side loadingWCVs 101, an office 504, and/or at least one customer 506. Side loadingWCVs 101 a, 101 b, and 101 c are depicted herein for exemplary purposesonly. In one aspect, side loading WCVs 101 are owned by one company. Inan alternative embodiment, the side loading WCVs 101 are owned byseveral different companies that work together. In another embodiment,the side loading WCVs 101 may include any combination of networkconnectivity, weighing, and recorded data. For example, a side loadingWCV 101 may be connected to the internet 502 via wireless connectivity.In another embodiment, two or more side loading WCVs 101 may benetworked together to exchange information via the internet 502, a radiofrequency, and/or an infrared frequency. In one embodiment, a sideloading WCV 101 may have no network connectivity, where features of thedisclosure are locally facilitated. In other aspects, a side loading WCV101 may use another side loading WCV 101 to network to the internet 502or another side loading WCV 101 in a mesh network manner. In a furtherembodiment, the side loading WCV 101 may be connected to the office 504or home computer system. In another embodiment, the side loading WCV 101may communicate with customers 506 directly. These and any of the othermyriad of network possibilities may be included to facilitate weightdetermination and data utilization.

The weight determination and association application 420 of the computerdevice 400 receives weights from a scale or weighing instrument locatedon the collection bin and/or the side loading waste collection vehicle101. The weighing instrument, such as load cells, may be inside of thesuspended collection bin 102, under the suspended collection bin 102, onthe frame of the collection bin, inside pockets on a suspendedcollection bin 102, on the suspension mechanism, and/or on the roboticarm.

In one embodiment, the weighing instrument is located on the collectionbin. In another embodiment, the weighing instrument is locatedunderneath the tub and on the frame of a collection bin. In thisembodiment the load cells can be separate from and/or attached to thecollection bin. In one embodiment, the cells or a portion of the cellscan be located on a frame of the hopper side loading waste collectionvehicle. Further, the weighing instrument once attached to thecollection bin may be removable. In another embodiment, once theweighing instrument is attached to the collection bin, the weighingsystem cannot be separated from the collection bin.

In an alternative embodiment, the weighing instrument, such as at leastone load cell, is located on the suspension mechanism. In thisembodiment, the load cells can be separate from and/or attached to thesuspension mechanism. Further, the weighing instrument once attached tothe suspension mechanism may be removable. In another embodiment, oncethe weighing instrument is attached to the suspension mechanism, theweighing system cannot be separated from the suspension mechanism.

In one embodiment, the weighing system is self-contained on thecollection bin. In another embodiment, the entire weighing system isseparate from the collection bin and located on the side loading wastecollection vehicle 101. In a further embodiment, the weighing system islocated on both the collection bin and the side loading waste collectionvehicle 101. In yet another embodiment, the entire weighing system maycome with the collection bin and have portions that attached to the sideloading waste collection vehicle 101 for installation and use of theweighing system.

The weighing instrument may be any suitable device for weighingmaterial, such as a load cell, strain gauge, and/or transducer. In oneembodiment, the scale or weighing instrument is located inside of thesuspended collection bin 102 and provides the interior floor of the bin.In another embodiment, the weighing instrument 108 has four load cells608 located on a frame 604 underneath a tub 602 of a collection bin 102as illustrated in FIG. 6. In one embodiment, the scale provides accurateweight measurements of within 5 pounds (2.268 kilograms) or less. Inanother embodiment, the scale provides accurate weight measurements ofwithin 3 pounds (1.361 kilograms) or less. In a further embodiment, thescale provides accurate weight measurements of within 1 pound (0.4536kilograms) or less. In an additional embodiment, the scale providesaccurate weight measurements of within 0.50 pounds (0.2268 kilogram) orless. In another embodiment, the scale provides accurate weightmeasurements of within 0.1 pounds (0.0454 kilograms) or less.

The weighing instrument may be selectively activated or continuouslyactive. The scale may continuously or selectively send weight to theweight determination and association application 420. The weightdetermination and association application 420 will account for any extraweight based on the varying configurations/locations of the scale. Forinstance, for scales located under the suspended collection bin 102 oron the suspension mechanism, the weight determination and associationapplication 420 will subtract the weight of the suspended collection bin102 and any other weight not provided by the collected material from themeasurements. In one embodiment, the weight determination andassociation application 420 activates the scale 108 and/or determineswhen the scale sends taken weights. In another embodiment, the scale isactivated and/or sends weights based on triggers, such as sensorinformation. The weight determination and association (WDA) application420 associates each weight received with a specific identification. Theidentification may be entered by an operator or received electronicallyfrom another device.

In one embodiment, the scale is triggered by the movement of the roboticarm 106. This same trigger after a certain time period may activate thescale to send new weight information to the WDA application 420. Inanother embodiment, a trigger on the suspension mechanism may beutilized to reset the scale and/or the WDA application 420 to providefor proper calculation. In an additional embodiment, the operator may beable to use a trigger that activates the scale to weigh and/or send newweight information to the WDA application 420. Several of these triggersmay further comprise timers that activate the scale to weigh or send newweight information after a determined amount of time. In one embodiment,the robotic arm may comprise a sensor, such as a mercury switch,tilt/angle sensor, inclinometer, and/or an accelerometer, for activatingthe scale or weighing instrument to weigh and/or to send new weightinformation. Any suitable mechanism or trigger for activating the scaleto weigh and/or to send new weight information may be utilized by theWDA application 420 to activate the scale to weigh and send out datawithout departing from the scope and intent of the disclosure.

Further, any weight information received by the WDA application 420 isassociated with a specific identification. The identification mayinclude any necessary information for identifying the weight of thecollected materials, such as date, time, route information, the sideloading WCV 101 utilized for collection, address, waste container 110number/information, and/or associated customer information.

The specific identification may be input by the operator or receivedfrom another device. The operator may input all information, a portionof the information, and/or update the information. The device mayprovide a portion of the information, all of the information, and/orupdate the information. The device may utilize a radio frequencyidentification system 300 (FIG. 3) and/or a global positioning system.

A radio frequency tag or transponder may be associated or attached toone or more waste containers. The tag may include information relatingto the customer, route, location, address, date, and/or material. Anantenna located on the side loading WCV 101 may read the information andthen associate the weight taken when closest to this transponder withthe appropriate customer information. The transponder and the antennamay be located in any suitable place for allowing the identification tobe properly associated with the proper weights of the collectedmaterials by the WDA application 420. In one embodiment, the informationbeing associated with the taken weight may be displayed. An operator, inthis embodiment, may be able to verify, update, or override the receivedRFID information to guarantee that the weight of the collected materialsis associated with the correct information. One embodiment of an RFIDsystem 300 is illustrated in FIG. 3.

The global positioning system may be utilized in a similar fashion tothe RFID system 300 except that it utilizes microwave signals,satellites, and GPS receivers to perform the same function.

In one embodiment, the operator may have a button or method forrecalculation. For instance, in a recyclables incentive program, thehigher the weight of the recyclables the larger the incentive. Customersmay inadvertently or purposely add non-recyclable materials to theirwaste container improperly increasing the weight of their collectedrecyclables. Because the operator can see if improper materials areadded to the suspended collection bin, the operator may remove theseimproper or undesirable items from the collection. In this embodiment,after the removal of these items, the operator can trigger arecalculation. The recalculation deletes any improper weights taken andreplaces the improper weight with the new correct weight. Thisembodiment allows the weighing system to maintain accurate readingsafter the removal of undesirable or improper materials.

Once the WDA application 420 receives weight information and associatesthe weights with the proper information, the WDA application 420calculates other desired weights. In one embodiment, the WDA application420 may be programmed to determined several different weights and weightcombinations. The WDA application 420 may calculate the weight of thematerials provided in each waste container 110 or dumping, per customer,per household, per area, per route, per side loading WCV 101, per aselect number of side loading WCVs 101, per day, per month, or per year.The WDA application 420 may determine the weight of materials providedper waste container or dump by calculating the weight prior to dumpingthe waste container, calculating the weight after dumping and thenfinding the difference between the two calculated weights. Therecalculation can be triggered by any number of mechanisms. Therecalculation may be triggered manually by an operator, by a switch onthe robotic arm, a GPS, and/or a radio frequency identification (RFID)system 300. Each calculation may be stored. Each calculation may beadded into another calculation and stored. The desired data may becalculated by utilizing designed algorithms programmed.

Once the desired calculations have been obtained, these results can bestored or sent out. In one embodiment, the total collected materialweight per customer may be sent to each customer and other parties. Forinstance, in a recycling incentive program the total collected weight ofrecyclables per customer may be sent to the customer and/or the companyresponsible for the incentives, so the customer and the program know theappropriate reward to be granted. In another embodiment, a state or citycan reward whole communities for specific recycling habits with morefunding if certain goals are met.

FIG. 8 represents an embodiment of a method for weighing materialscollected in a collection bin for a side loading waste collectionvehicle 800. As illustrated, method 800 indentifies a waste container802. In one embodiment, method 800 identifies the waste containermanually. In another embodiment, method 800 utilizes and RFID system toindentify the waste container. The side loading WCV may contain the RFIDantenna and the waste container and RFID tag that is recognized by theantenna. The RFID tag may contain numerous information, such as ownername, owner address, waste container size, waste container number,and/or owner account number or may be an identifier that can be used toaccess such information from a database. In another embodiment, thelocation of the waste container is determined utilizing GPS. Thelocation of the waste container and/or the side loading WCV may bestored and/or determined along with the other identifying information ofthe waste container.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, method 800 moves materials stored in theidentified waste container to a collection bin 804. In one embodiment,the materials in the identified waste container may be manually placedinto the collection. In another embodiment, the materials contained inthe waste container are automatically moved into the collection bin. Inone embodiment, an automated robotic arm is utilized to automaticallymove materials stored in a waste container to the collection bin.

Further, method 800 determines that the materials have been received bythe collection bin 806. In one embodiment, method 800 manuallydetermines that the materials have been received by the collection bin.In another embodiment, method 800 utilizes a sensor to determine thatthe materials have been received by the collection bin. Any suitablesensor for determining movement or weight change may be utilized bymethod 800. In one embodiment, a sensor is located on the sliding partof an automated robotic arm. In a further embodiment, a sensor islocated on the rotating part of the robotic arm. In another embodiment,a sensor is located on the suspension mechanism of the side loading WCV.In an alternative embodiment, the operator visually determines that thematerial from the waste container is received by the collection bin.

Method 800 weighs the materials in the collection bin to produce aweight measurement with an accuracy of within about 5 pounds or less808. In one embodiment, method 800 utilizes a load cell to determine theweight of the materials in the collection bin. In one embodiment, theweight measurement taken by method 800 is within at least one of about 1pound or less, about 0.5 pounds or less, and about 0.1 pounds or less ofthe weight of the collected materials. In a further embodiment, method800 utilizes the weight of the collection bin prior to receivingmaterials from a waste container and the weight of the collection binafter the step of determining that materials from the waste containerhave been received by the collection bin to generate the weightmeasurement of the materials found within the waste container.

Additionally, method 800 utilizes a processor to associate the weightmeasurement with the identified waste container 810. In yet anotherembodiment, method 800 stores the weight measurement in association withthe identified waste container. In another embodiment, method 800associates and stores other data associated with waste container withthe weight measurement.

In one embodiment, method 800 utilizes a computer device and/orprocessor to calculate the weight measurement and to associate theweight measurement and/or other waste container related data with theidentified waste container. Further, the computing device may furtherinclude a storage media for the grouped data. In one embodiment, thecomputing device also contains communication connection(s) that allowthe device to communicate with other computing devices, such as over anetwork or a wireless network. By way of example, and not limitation,the communication media of the computing device may include wired mediasuch as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

In another embodiment, method 800 may group and add related weights andinformation stored in association with identified waste container forlarger system analysis. For instance, the weights of the materialscollected by one side loading WCV may be determined by method 800. Inone example, the material collected for an entire geographic area may becalculated. In another embodiment, the time necessary for collectingmaterial from a geographic area is calculated. In a further embodiment,the average weight of materials collected from one or multiplegeographic areas may be calculated.

In another embodiment, method 800 displays the weight measurement withthe identified waste container and/or any other related appropriateinformation. In another embodiment, method 800 displays calculationsmade by the grouping of related data. In one embodiment, the informationis displayed on a monitor attached to the side loading waste collectionvehicle. In another embodiment, the information is displayed on amonitor separate from the side loading waste collection vehicle, such asa personal computer or smart phone.

In an additional embodiment, method 800 identifies an undesirable objectin the collection bin, removes the undesirable object from thecollection bin, and recalculates the weight measurement after theremoval of the undesirable object. An “undesirable object” as usedherein is any object that should not be or was not intended to becollected and stored in the hopper of the side loading waste collectionvehicle. In one embodiment, the operator in the cab of the WCV sees thematerial as it is dumped into the collection bin. The operator may seeundesirable objects in the collection bin and identify them asundesirable objects. In another embodiment, an operator outside of theside loading waste collection vehicle may see and indentify theundesirable material as it is dumped into the collection bin. In anotherembodiment, a camera may display the items contained in the collectionbin on a monitor to the operator. In this embodiment, the operator mayidentify undesirable objects placed in the collection bin by seeing theundesirable items on a display screen showing the contents of thecollection bin. In one embodiment, these objects are manually removedfrom the collection bin. After the removal of the undesirable object,the operator can command the weighing system to recalculate the weightmeasurement removing the weight of the undesirable object.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems ofthe present disclosure may be implemented in many manners and as suchare not to be limited by the foregoing exemplary embodiments andexamples. In other words, functional elements being performed by asingle or multiple components, in various combinations of hardware andsoftware or firmware, and individual functions, can be distributed amongsoftware applications at either the client or server level or both. Inthis regard, any number of the features of the different embodimentsdescribed herein may be combined into single or multiple embodiments,and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of thefeatures herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, inwhole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners nowknown or to become known. Thus, myriad software/hardware/firmwarecombinations are possible in achieving the functions, features,interfaces and preferences described herein. Moreover, the scope of thepresent disclosure covers conventionally known manners for carrying outthe described features and functions and interfaces, and thosevariations and modifications that may be made to the hardware orsoftware or firmware components described herein as would be understoodby those skilled in the art now and hereafter.

While various embodiments have been described, various changes andmodifications may be made which are well within the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, any number of sensors, computers, robotic arms,and/or weighing systems may be utilized, numerous other changes may bemade which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the artand which are encompassed in the spirit of the disclosure and as definedin the appended claims.

The above specification provides a complete description of the presentinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects ofthe invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collection bin comprising: at least onesuspension mechanism for attachment to an automated waste collectionvehicle; a processor; a weighing instrument controlled by the processor,the weighing instrument is adapted to weigh material disposed in thecollection bin to produce weight measurements, wherein the processorassociates the weight measurements with appropriate data; a frame, theframe comprising the at least one suspension mechanism; and a tub, thetub held by the frame, wherein the weighing instrument is at least oneload cell, the at least one load cell attached to the frame underneaththe tub.
 2. The collection bin of claim 1, wherein the weighinginstrument provides for an accuracy of at least within about 5 pounds orless.
 3. The collection bin of claim 1, further comprising: a RFIDsystem controlled by the processor and adapted to at least identifywaste containers; and a GPS system controlled by the processor andadapted to determine a location of at least one of the collection binand waste containers.
 4. The collection bin of claim 1, wherein theappropriate data includes at least one of a time a waste container isemptied into the collection bin, a date a waste container is emptiedinto the collection bin, a location of a waste container, a location ofa waste container when emptied into the collection bin, an owner of awaste container, owner information for a waste container, wastecontainer size, and previously taken weight measurements.
 5. Thecollection bin of claim 1, wherein the weighing instrument isself-contained.
 6. The collection bin of claim 1, further comprising atleast one sensor in communication with the processor, the at least onesensor is adapted to determine at least one of movement or weightchange.
 7. The collection bin of claim 1, further comprising a GPRSsystem controlled by the processor.
 8. The collection bin of claim 1,further comprising a GSM antenna controlled by the processor and a SIMcard.
 9. The collection bin of claim 1, further comprising a displaycontrolled by the processor and an input device.
 10. The collection binof claim 1, further comprising a communication connection connected tothe processor.
 11. The collection bin of claim 1, wherein the processorfurther comprises a weight determination and association applicationcontrolled by the processor.
 12. The collection bin of claim 1, whereinthe weighing instrument provides for an accuracy of at least withinabout 1 pound or less.
 13. The collection bin of claim 1, wherein theweighing instrument provides for an accuracy of at least within about0.5 pounds or less.
 14. The collection bin of claim 1, wherein theweighing instrument provides for an accuracy of at least within about0.1 pounds or less.
 15. A collection bin comprising: at least onesuspension mechanism for attachment to an automated waste collectionvehicle; a processor; a weighing instrument controlled by the processor,the weighing instrument is adapted to weigh material disposed in thecollection bin to produce weight measurements, wherein the processorassociates the weight measurements with appropriate data; and anautomated robotic arm attached to the collection bin, the automatedrobotic arm is adapted to empty the material contained in a wastecontainer into the collection bin.
 16. A collection and scale system,comprising: an automated waste collection vehicle; a collection bin, thecollection bin comprising a suspension mechanism for attachment to theautomated waste collection vehicle; and a weighing system, the weighingsystem is adapted to weigh material disposed in the collection bin toproduce weight measurements and comprises at least one weighinginstrument, and a processor, wherein the processor associates the weightmeasurements with appropriate data, and wherein the at least oneweighing instrument is attached to the collection bin.
 17. A collectionand scale system, comprising: a automated waste collection vehicle; acollection bin, the collection bin comprising a suspension mechanism forattachment to the automated waste collection vehicle; and a weighingsystem, the weighing system is adapted to weigh material disposed in thecollection bin to produce weight measurements and comprises at least oneweighing instrument, and a processor, wherein the processor associatesthe weight measurements with appropriate data, and wherein the weighingsystem is self-contained on the collection bin.
 18. A collection andscale system, comprising: an automated waste collection vehicle; acollection bin, the collection bin comprising a suspension mechanism forattachment to the automated waste collection vehicle; and a weighingsystem, the weighing system is adapted to weigh material disposed in thecollection bin to produce weight measurements and comprises at least oneweighing instrument, and a processor, wherein the processor associatesthe weight measurements with appropriate data, and wherein a firstportion of the weighing system is located on the automated wastecollection vehicle and a second portion is located on the collectionbin.